Speed cameras are being set up across Hampshire, to try and deal with a huge increase in road traffic accidents.

In the first three months of the year 30 people were on the roads in the region, more than double the number killed in the same period last year.

Police have now set up 19 new speed cameras across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

They will not go live until next Monday so people can get used to their location.

These collisions have had a devastating effect upon everyone involved

Sergeant Thorne

Julian Hewitt from the Camera Partnership said: "We're not out to catch people, we're here to reduce casualties, we want to slow them down, not to catch them."

A survey of 2,000 people in Portsmouth found overwhelming support for the cameras, with only 1% strongly opposed to them.

So far in 2003 seven motorcyclists, six pedestrians and 17 car occupants have died in accidents.

'Replace cameras'

Hampshire and Isle of Wight police say the main reasons are inappropriate speed and inattention.

The Association of British Drivers have recently called for speed cameras to be replaced with electronic warning signs.

Sergeant Kory Thorne, Hampshire Constabulary's Casualty Reduction Manager, said that most of the accidents had happened on minor routes, away from those which had been identified as high risk.

"These collisions have had a devastating effect upon everyone involved, including families and friends of the loved ones left behind, as well as the emergency service personnel dealing with the incidents."